Rug Merchants

From fax sent October 23, 1995

A few months ago, we received a fax saying we had been recommended by Miguel Flores, the CGM agent in Nicaragua, to be agents for an auction of oriental rugs, as he had been. A delightful gentleman from the Netherlands arrived soon after to discuss possibilities and look over the situation in Belize so his office could decide whether or not to try an auction here. They decided affirmatively. They put the funds up front. We receive the rugs, arrange an auctioneer, location, and some personnel. We get a percentage.

Alex and I thought it was a kooky idea, but that’s why we have the “&” before the word “Services” in our company name. At the time Bucher and Sid Turton were looking for a name, I suggested “Marine Services.” By the time the company was incorporated, the ampersand had been added. I was horrified at the time. However, as we have branched out beyond shipping, I find it rather comforting.

 

From file written late December 1995

The British company behind the auction has done this all over the Caribbean and Central America. Miguel Flores was highly complimentary about the people and the way they operate.

In due course, we received “9 bundles of Oriental Rugs” by air freight, and Alex found a safe warehouse for them. I was in charge of a flurry of advertising. The auction was held in a large room at the Fort George Hotel in December. The company sent in their own auctioneer, and we had a local auctioneer as well.

Alex said that, when they opened up the packages of rugs the day of the auction, the auctioneer was like a kid in a candy store. He said they had no business sending those rugs to Belize; they should be offered in Paris or New York. He showed Alex how to estimate value by counting the number of knots per square inch.

We had a surprising turnout that night. Bidding was slow to begin with. That’s when we should have jumped in because lovely rugs went for practically nothing. Before long, people got excited. The final figure was over $100,000 total. I bought two, a simple geometric that no one would realize was a modern oriental, plus a gorgeous long, slim silk rug that I will hang on the wall when I get around to it.

 

From fax sent January 10, 1996

Alex was on the verge of matricide one morning last week. I overheard him on an overseas call and realized it was the British company that had the rug auction. I could hear Alex protesting that we couldn’t possibly have a repeat performance this month. The ominous words, “Whatever gave you that idea?” registered, and I shook my head ruefully at Alex as I pointed to myself. Alex finally convinced the man that a new auction was not a good idea. When he hung up, he demanded the “Rug Auction” file so he could see my last letter.

At the end of my letter, I had said I was sorry that more of the heavy spenders had not attended but added that, the next day, several people had mentioned wishing they had bid more and higher. I made the unfortunate mistake of quoting one of them as asking if there would be another auction…“say, in two weeks!”

Alex was furious with me. “Don’t you know you can’t be smart-ass in a business letter!”

Note: I write an informal letter and have gotten away with it—usually to applause—for years. I can’t imagine changing my style at this late date, but I certainly will be a bit more circumspect.